New Delhi, June 26 -- When Francisco Cerundolo clinched the biggest title of his life at Queen's on 21 June, he had a surprise waiting in the wings. His father, who has a fear of flying, had made the trip all the way from Buenos Aires, Argentina to London, just in time to see his son complete a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 win over Tommy Paul in what was the longest final at the ATP 500 grass-court event.

"My dad has a phobia of planes," said Cerundolo. "Since I was born, I never travelled with him and he never came to watch me in tournaments. Last year he started taking therapy and trying to approach his fear. Last week, he was saying 'I will go to the grass season'. He always loved London and always loved grass."

Cerundolo Sr is not the only one...